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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having posted reviews of the Mackerras G&S recordings, I decided that I would do the same with the Sargent, so-called "Glyndebourne" recordings, which had been my first introduction to G&S on disc, or, as it was at the time, on cassette. I am delighted to report that these versions still compare more than favourably with most of their rivals and although recorded between 1957 and 1963, the sound is more than acceptable and the playing and singing are very fine indeed; the tempi are perhaps a little lugubrious at times, but to my ears at any rate, the singers are far superior musically to their D'Oyly Carte counterparts and I do not agree with the frequent criticism that they lack an idiomatic feel for the genre. There is very much a "house team" of singers, led by the soprano Elsie Morison, the contraltos Monica Sinclair and Marjorie Thomas, the tenor Richard Lewis, the baritone John Cameron and the bass Owen Brannigan. They were among the leading British (and Australian) singers of the day and excelled particularly in choral music. Smaller parts are taken by artists who would go on to have major international careers, including Elizabeth Harwood, Heather Harper and Helen Watts. The "patter" parts in the earlier recordings are taken by Sir Geraint Evans, who is vocally a bit too heavy, and in the later recordings by the veteran George Baker, who would have been perfect had he not been so old. The recordings, incidentally, are not based on Glyndebourne productions; they simply use the Glyndebourne orchestra and chorus, which at the time numbered such future luminaries as Dame Janet Baker.
With just cause, "The Yeomen" is reckoned to be the most "serious" of the Savoy operas and Sargent's singers relish the wonderful music they have to sing. Jack Point is Geraint Evans's best G&S part and he is ably partnered by Elsie Morison, whose singing is at times absolutely ravishing. Marjorie Thomas is perhaps rather too serious as Phoebe, but she too has a lovely voice, while Richard Lewis is wonderfully stylish as Fairfax and has never been bettered on disc. Owen Brannigan is a larger than life Wilfred, while Monica Sinclair and John Cameron are perfect as Dame Carruthers and Sergeant Meryll; "Rapture, rapture" is a real highlight. Denis Dowling is a fruitily authoritative Lieutenant and even the tiny part of the Second Yeoman receives an extraordinarily beautiful performance from John Carol Case. Orchestral playing and choral singing are both splendid. There are some good "Yeomen" out there and this is right up with them. Try and pick it up cheaply.
With just cause, "The Yeomen" is reckoned to be the most "serious" of the Savoy operas and Sargent's singers relish the wonderful music they have to sing. Jack Point is Geraint Evans's best G&S part and he is ably partnered by Elsie Morison, whose singing is at times absolutely ravishing. Marjorie Thomas is perhaps rather too serious as Phoebe, but she too has a lovely voice, while Richard Lewis is wonderfully stylish as Fairfax and has never been bettered on disc. Owen Brannigan is a larger than life Wilfred, while Monica Sinclair and John Cameron are perfect as Dame Carruthers and Sergeant Meryll; "Rapture, rapture" is a real highlight. Denis Dowling is a fruitily authoritative Lieutenant and even the tiny part of the Second Yeoman receives an extraordinarily beautiful performance from John Carol Case. Orchestral playing and choral singing are both splendid. There are some good "Yeomen" out there and this is right up with them. Try and pick it up cheaply.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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1 review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Slower than Normal, but Still Good
1 Dec 2008
Format:Audio CD
Sargent was famous for his slow tempi; this 1958 recording shows some of these tempi -- less than you would imagine, however. Compared to his 1964 with the D'Oyly Carte, this one is definitely slower. The only places where the slow tempi take away from the enjoyment is in "Here's a man of jollity" and "Rapture, rapture." Elsewhere, it is not much of an issue.
The greatest redeeming factors are Sargent's fresh conducting habits and fine singing from all of the soloists. ALL of the soloists. None of them are annoying to listen to or weak sounding. That said, some lack full characterization, but this can be overlooked to a great extent.
This recording contains what is, in my opinion, the best recorded "When maiden loves" ever. Among the five main stereo recordings, Marjorie Thomas' performance is the most gripping. Her characterization is superb.
I would rank Elsie Morison above Elizabeth Harwood in the part of Elsie Maynard, but perhaps below Sylvia McNair (but only perhaps: Morison is an excellent, if very operatic, soprano).
Owan Brannigan is his usual, excellent self. Geraint Evans' Jack Point is a matter of taste.
"Strange adventure" does not receive the lightness of touch in the D'Oyly Carte version, but makes up for it in that all four singers are very well matched.
Although it does not displace the fine versions put forth by the D'Oyly Carte on Decca or Sir Neville Marriner's forces on Phillips, this recording from Sargent and the Glyndebourne Festival Chorus is certainly an interesting addition to the discography, fully recommended to G&S fans willing to buy more than one recording. If you are going to invest in only one, the 1964 D'Oyly Carte recording with Sargent conducting is probably your best bet.
The greatest redeeming factors are Sargent's fresh conducting habits and fine singing from all of the soloists. ALL of the soloists. None of them are annoying to listen to or weak sounding. That said, some lack full characterization, but this can be overlooked to a great extent.
This recording contains what is, in my opinion, the best recorded "When maiden loves" ever. Among the five main stereo recordings, Marjorie Thomas' performance is the most gripping. Her characterization is superb.
I would rank Elsie Morison above Elizabeth Harwood in the part of Elsie Maynard, but perhaps below Sylvia McNair (but only perhaps: Morison is an excellent, if very operatic, soprano).
Owan Brannigan is his usual, excellent self. Geraint Evans' Jack Point is a matter of taste.
"Strange adventure" does not receive the lightness of touch in the D'Oyly Carte version, but makes up for it in that all four singers are very well matched.
Although it does not displace the fine versions put forth by the D'Oyly Carte on Decca or Sir Neville Marriner's forces on Phillips, this recording from Sargent and the Glyndebourne Festival Chorus is certainly an interesting addition to the discography, fully recommended to G&S fans willing to buy more than one recording. If you are going to invest in only one, the 1964 D'Oyly Carte recording with Sargent conducting is probably your best bet.
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